Santa Cruz de Tenerife (EFE) - The NGO Condrik Tenerife has made public video footage capturing a remarkable sighting of the black devilfish, or abyssal anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii), during the day and at surface level, approximately two kilometers off the coast of Tenerife. This sighting, which occurred on January 26, 2023, is believed to be extremely rare for this species, according to marine biologist Laia Valor.
The sighting took place near Playa San Juan, located within the municipality of Guía de Isora. Valor, who was part of the expedition on research for pelagic sharks, recalls, "We saw it when we were returning to port. I passed by something black which didn’t seem like plastic; it seemed strange. After seeing it, we spent a couple of hours with it. It was damaged and not well, only lasting alive for hours.”
Historically, such sightings of the black devilfish close to the surface have been limited to the observation of larval forms or deceased individuals. Valor noted, “This is something unprecedented. We can’t definitively say it never happens, but if it were to occur on greater scales, we would expect to see more frequent sightings.”
Following the confirmation of the fish's passing, Valor and her team collected it for examination and transportation to the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (Muna) of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This specimen could mark the world’s first recorded sighting of an adult Melanocetus johnsonii alive under such conditions, catching the attention of both the scientific community and marine enthusiasts.
Known as true predators of the deep, black devilfish typically inhabit depths ranging from 200 to 2,000 meters, employing their dorsal appendage filled with bioluminescent bacteria to lure prey, much like the behavior portrayed in the animated film, Finding Nemo.
The reasons why this individual was found so near the surface remain unclear. Possible explanations include the fish suffering from illness, being influenced by upward currents, or fleeing from potential predators. Valor mentioned, “The reasons for its presence at the surface are uncertain. It could have been due to sickness, or perhaps it was drawn up by currents, or it might have been escaping from another large fish.”
Photographer David Jara Boguñá disclosed his astonishment at capturing images of this elusive creature, emphasizing its rarity and significance. “It could be the first recorded sighting of this fish alive, during the day and at the surface. Very few people have had the privilege to witness such a creature,” he expressed.
The captures were made during one of Condrik Tenerife’s research campaigns dedicated to studying shark species, which also includes conducting surveys of pelagic sharks like the blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna). At the same time, it highlights the importance of research initiatives to conserve and understand marine biodiversity.
Despite its fearsome appearance and large jaw, the black devilfish is harmless to humans. Its unique reproductive strategy presents fascinating insights as well; male black devilfish are known to attach themselves to females, diminishing their size and effectively becoming extensions of the female’s body to reproduce. This remarkable adaptation is one of the more extreme forms of symbiosis found within the animal kingdom.
Valor concluded, “This sighting is exceptional and will be remembered for years to come. It is probable we won’t witness something like this again.” The black devilfish’s capture and subsequent documentation serves as an important reminder of the unknown wonders remaining within our oceans and the work needed to protect these delicate marine ecosystems.